Author: Administrador

Stijn te Strake photo – Unsplash By Michael Cooper As a pastor, I’ve received multiple “end times” questions from church members during this pandemic. I’ve been encouraged by a few to watch “this video” and then provide my thoughts.  While COVID-19 may mimic in some ways an “end times” scenario, it doesn’t necessarily mean we … Continue reading “What COVID-19 Has to Do With the ‘End Times’”

Photo by adrianna geo on Unsplash By Todd Adkins  We are ministering during a very challenging time. Due to federal, state and sometimes even local county and city guidelines and mandates in response to the coronavirus we may have to limit the size of personal visitations and funerals or move these services completely online. Funeral … Continue reading “4 Tips for Livestreaming a Funeral Service”

Photo by Daniel Morton on Unsplash By Joy Allmond and Y Bonesteele How should the the church be postured for change during this season of ministry? What kind of pruning should congregations welcome amid the impact of the coronavirus? Facts & Trends recently discussed these topics with Trevin Wax, vice president of communications and theology … Continue reading “How the Pandemic is a ‘Painful Opportunity’ for the Church”

Fred Kearney photo – Unsplash By Joe Barnard In our present moment of suffering, some have said Christians should primarily recover the role of lament in the Psalms, a form of prayer that permits us to express the grief of suffering without expecting a definite reply.  To this, my answer is: yes and no. Is lamentation a … Continue reading “Why Laments Aren’t Enough: Reading the Prophets During a Pandemic”

Haley Rivera photo – Unsplash By Scott Patty One of the striking messages of the Psalms is that God’s faithful people, real believers in Him, experience deep longings that seem to be unmet. Take, for instance, Psalm 119: 81-82, “My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; … Continue reading “Embracing the (Unfulfilled) Longing to Gather as a Church”

Hannah Busing photo – Unsplash By Chris Surratt The idea of smaller groups of people meeting together for fellowship and Bible study isn’t a new concept in churches. In fact, we see in Acts 2 that the first-century church relied on them as “Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and … Continue reading “How COVID-19 Is Bringing the Church Back to Her Roots: Small Groups”

Huang Cheng photo – Pexels By Aaron Earls The New Testament is full of commands—from the lips of Jesus to the pen of Paul—that explain how Christians should seek to treat our fellow believers. But how are we supposed to obey the dozens of “one another” Scriptures when we are and have been away from … Continue reading “Following the Biblical ‘One Another’ Commands Without Being With One Another”

Laura Dewilde photo – Unsplash By Kyle Bueermann There are scores of posts about what pastors and churches can’t do during the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s true. There’s a lot we’re unable to do.  Churches are unable to gather together in person these days. Small groups can’t gather together. We can’t meet with other pastors … Continue reading “3 Things Every Pastor Can Do During the Pandemic”

Kristina Paparo photo – Unsplash By Ken Braddy  Last week we all received good news: The country is going to slowly reopen, and that includes houses of worship. But if you think we’ll all rush back to church and pick up where we left off, don’t kid yourself—it’s not going to happen. Or at least … Continue reading “24 Questions Your Church Must Answer Before Welcoming People Back”

Charles Deluvio photo – Unsplash By Rosie Makinney While the world was preoccupied with trying to prevent a global health crisis, the largest pornography company was busy unleashing another one.  Before the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide, traffic to the site was already globally higher than usual, but on March 24, the company offered its premium … Continue reading “Pornography Pandemic: The Other Health Crisis Ravaging the World”